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Zilog Z8523L Enhanced Serial Communications Controller

The Zilog Z8523L Enhanced SCC (ESCC) is a low-voltage serial communications controller (SCC) for a variety of computing applications requiring increased performance and lower power consumption. The Zilog Z8523L reduces the voltage from 5 to 3.3 volts and is ideal for computer peripherals, networking equipment, and routers. The Zilog Z85230 Enhanced SCC is available now.

The Zilog 3.3 volt ESCC has deep FIFOs and other features that reduce the software overhead for each channel. This enables more channels per system, faster data rates with more CPU bandwidth, and lower overall CPU costs. The ESCC can support multiple channel and multiple protocols that easily interface to 8/16 bit addressable non-multiplexed address/data buses. The ESCC can be configured to satisfy a wide variety of serial communications applications. On-chip features include baud rate generators, digital PLLs and crystal oscillators to reduce external logic. Other features include optimized FIFOs to support high speed SDLC transfers using DMA controllers.

The ESCC handles asynchronous formats, synchronous byte-oriented protocols, and synchronous bit-oriented protocols. The ESCC can generate and check CRC codes in any synchronous mode and can be programmed to check data integrity in various modes. The ESCC also has facilities for modem controls in both channels. In applications where these controls are not needed, the modem controls can be used for general-purpose I/O.

Zilog ESCC’s are designed for use in multiple applications for serial communication needs. One of the key features offered by the ESCC is Extended Read Enable. Write Register values from the WR3, WR4, WR5, WR7, and WR10 can be examined in the ESCC. This feature improves system testability. It is also crucial for SCC/ESCC differentiation and allows generic software structures for all SCC/ESCC devices.